"The Eight Concepts" is a clear and concise description of the basic concepts of Bowen family system theory.

Beginning with the fundamental concept of the nuclear family as the emotional unit, the other concepts - differentiation of self scale, triangles, cutoff, family projection process, multigenerational transmission process, sibling position, and emotional processes of society - are explained as they evolve out of the fundamental concept of the emotional unit. The emphasis is clarity of presentation and purity of presentation of theory.

Numerous citations to the writings of Dr. Bowen and experts who studied under Dr. Bowen are used to present the theory in as pure a form as possible in a short and easy-to-read book. The special sections in each chapter for parents, coaches and leaders bring each concept home for different roles readers bring to the book.